Johnson says more state schools should teach classics

Johnson says more state schools should teach classics

London mayor Boris Johnson has urged more state schools to provide lessons in the classics, in news which may affect secondary teachers of Latin and ancient Greek.

Mr Johnson said the study of classics should be boosted because these languages are integral "to a phenomenal and unsurpassed treasury of literature and history and philosophy, and we cannot possibly understand our modern world unless we understand the ancient world that made us all."

His comments emerged as a new poll by Friends of Classics revealed that two to four per cent of state primary schools teach Latin compared to 40 per cent of independent schools.

According to the survey, around 40 per cent of state schools face difficulties recruiting staff to teach the subject.

Posted by Theo Foulds





Published On 18/03/2010